They demanded that the Minister of Health pay attention to health services for people in Eastern Indonesia, especially in Papua.
We have data which states that the requirement for health services in Eastern Indonesia, especially Papua, is urgent considering high percentage of AIDS sufferer sin Papua, said Elang Oasis, Director of Research Institution and Socialization of Health, Legal Aid Institute for Health Affairs, who took part in the rally.
Elang said the Legal Aid Institute for Health Affairs that accompanied the demonstrators was asked to fight for the Papuan people to get better health services in Eastern Indonesia.
Previously, Papuan people filed demands in August and September.
However, the Ministry of Health did not respond to the demands. Therefore, we are holding this rally, Elang said.
He went on to say the rally was intended to ask the Minister of Health to provide a transparent explanation for the use of budgeted additional funds for peoples health in Eastern Indonesia.
There is data showing that Rp345 billion of these additional funds were allocated for improper things.
For example, the funds are used to buy several ambulances, the cost of each was Rp25 million. So, funds have been switched and we are asking for clarification on this, Elang added.
He said that he is yet to decide what to do if the Minister of Health does not meet them on the last day of the rally, which ends tomorrow.
Elang said that the General Affairs section at the ministry had already offered for the demonstrators to meet one of the director generals.
But we refused. We want the minister to see us himself and listen to the aspirations of the Papuan people, he added.
Siti Masriyah - Tempo News Room